Bedfordshire County Golf
Bedfordshire County Golf Ltd Shortlist for England Golf Award
Bedfordshire County Golf Ltd have been shortlisted for the Respect in Golf Award at the 2026 England Golf Awards, recognising its pioneering work in bringing mental health awareness and support into the heart of the golfing community.
The county's journey began with a powerful question: "What is being done to support mental health for golfers in England?"
For one volunteer, this question was deeply personal following the loss of his son in 2016 and his own experience of severe anxiety.
The difficulty of accessing the right support highlighted a wider issue — one that golf, with its strong communities and social connections, was well placed to help address.
Working alongside fellow golfers Graham Freer, Dave McGarry and Steve Whitney, and in partnership with England Golf, Bedfordshire helped develop Fore Your Mind, a dedicated mental health awareness initiative for golf.
The programme was piloted and officially launched in Bedfordshire in November 2024.
A key element of the initiative is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training — a two‑day accredited course that equips volunteers with the skills to recognise signs of poor mental health, start supportive conversations, and signpost individuals to appropriate help.
In its first year, the impact has been remarkable: 90% of Bedfordshire clubs now have a trained MHFA Champion, and more than 150 individuals have already been supported.
The programme is now expanding nationally, with 17 counties expressing interest and funding available through iGolf grants.
Bedfordshire volunteers continue to assist other counties through seminars and guidance as the initiative grows.
At its core, Fore Your Mind reinforces a simple but powerful message: golf can be a place where people look out for one another — where asking "Are you OK?" can make a meaningful difference.
Bedfordshire County Golf Ltd has led this cultural shift and is committed to helping golf become an even more supportive and respectful environment for all.
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